14 issue: erectile dysfunction
The HEALTH | JUNE, 2018
14 issue: erectile dysfunction
RF123
Erectile dysfunction
Swimming helps with fatigue, stress and obesity thus keeping erectile dysfunction at bay.
Overcome erectile dysfunction with these exercises
Yoga
Yoga helps reduce stress levels, improving the heart’ s beating rate as well as reducing general body tension. Improving of all these conditions in the body generally helps in eliminating erectile dysfunction( ED).
In addition, yoga postures are professionally designed to help in the general blood circulation within the entire body and specifically to the pelvis area.
Swimming
According to research by Yale University students, swimming should be a prerequisite for all men who have ED.
The intense muscle movement involved in swimming helps in reduction of general fatigue and stress. In addition, swimming brings about blood circulation and as a consequence enhances blood flow to the male reproductive system.
The research also showed that swimming helps keep the body fit and therefore keeps obesity at check. On the other hand, it helps release hormones that stimulate overall sex drive in men.
Weight training
Weight training includes both cardio training and resistance training. Basically, these sets of training helps
STATISTICS ON ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION( ED) IN MEN
Massachusetts Male Ageing Study
• 600,000 new cases of ED occur annually in the United States alone.
The National Health and Social Life Survey( NHSLS)
• 31 % of men have sexual dysfunction
• 8 % during the 40s to 19 % in the 50s
• 39 % in men older than 60 years of age
In Malaysia Statistics from Psychosocial survey on erectile dysfunction( ED) among diabetic and non-diabetic attributes, Penang, Malaysia, 2011
•( ED) affects 16 % to 47 % of men above 40 years old.
• 1.68 million Malaysian men above the age of 40 years experience some degree of ED. in improving ED by increasing bone strength, the mass of muscles and stability.
Aerobic exercises
Besides being fun and enjoyable, aerobic exercises helps in circulation of blood in the entire body and specifically in the penis.
Cardio exercises
Cardiovascular activities have other crucial benefits in the body. They include improving sleep, muscle tone and as at the same time lowering blood pressure.
On the other hand, regular cardiovascular activities such as swimming, walking and even cycling can help in improving energy levels.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
The pelvic muscles surround the base of the penis and testes. While most of us associate pelvic floor exercises( also known as“ kegel exercises”) with women, men also benefit from training the pelvic floor muscles for extra strength and control.
Although you may not notice it, you use your pelvic floor muscles frequently over the course of the day. When you pee, you relax your pelvic floor muscles, only to clench them as you finish to reduce and to stop the flow of urine.
The pelvic floor muscles also play a role in helping you develop and maintain an erection-one reason why training them can be a great way to manage and treat ED.
Exercising the pelvic floor muscles is a relatively simple process. Start by identifying your pelvic floor muscles by tensing your muscles as you would if you were trying to stop from peeing. When you squeeze your pelvic floor muscles, you’ ll feel the muscles‘ lift’ into your torso and tighten up your entire pelvic area.
Hold the squeezing motion and count to 10. Then, relax your pelvic floor muscles. Give yourself an eightsecond rest, then repeat the exercise, again counting to 10.
As well as potentially improving your erection quality, pelvic floor exercises can help with better bladder control and more intense orgasms.
Cardio exercises helps in lowering blood pressure.
May be a sign of underlying health condition
OST men coast on health
M autopilot until something they really care about takes a hit. This is usually related to their most prized appendage which affects sex life.
Erection problems are very common. It may be due to poor libido caused by stress, tiredness, anxiety, too much alcohol, low testosterone levels, antidepressants and hypertensive medication and ageing.
However, if the problem persist, it may be erectile dysfunction( ED).
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur vising consultant urologist Dr Poongkodi Nagappan pointed out that erectile dysfunction means the inability to maintain erection for sexual intercourse.
This may happen situationally and not all the time.
“ They may not be able to perform, but they would be able to masturbate or they’ d have morning erections.”
“ When a patient complains of ED, clinically we would ask if it is situational where most of the time they can, but in certain situations or with certain people, they are unable to. In such cases, it might be psychological and not due to organic reasons such as diseases.”
On the other hand, if it is progressive where a person has the libido, but he is unable to maintain the erection, it may be an underlying health condition such as
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Hyperlipidemia( high cholestrol)
• Family history for heart disease and stroke
• Age
“ We would look at blood investigations such as male hormone – testosterone, if that’ s normal, fasting blood sugar and fasting cholesterol. After these test, treatment would be based on the risk factors that the patient has.”
“ Then there are cardiovascular risk factors. If they have low cardiovascular risk, then we can start with treatment. However, if they have moderate or high risk, we would refer them to a cardiologist prior to referring them for treatment,” she said.
Erectile dysfunction medications
Common side effects of erectile dysfunction medications.
NORMALLY, an erection occurs when the arteries carrying blood to the penis widen, allowing more blood to flow in, and the veins carrying blood away from the penis are compressed, restricting blood from flowing out.
Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors( PDE5)
PDE5 inhibitors include sildenafil( Viagra), vardenafil( Levitra), and tadalafil( Cialis).
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur vising consultant urologist Dr Poongkodi Nagappan explained that following sexual stimulation, PDE5 inhibitors increase blood flow to the penis, causing an erection.
“ Under normal conditions, sexual stimulation leads to the production and release of nitric oxide in the penis. Nitric oxide then activates the enzyme, guanylate cyclase, which causes the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate( cGMP). It is the cGMP that is primarily responsible for the erection